KATHMANDU, April 8: Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, has instructed subordinate agencies to prepare a “checklist” of tasks that can be completed within the remaining months of the current fiscal year and to implement them promptly.
In discussions with the leadership of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, and the Alternative Energy Promotion Center, the minister emphasized fast-tracking plans and programs that are feasible within the fiscal year.
During Wednesday’s parliamentary session, MPs raised complaints about prolonged outages caused by damaged transformers in busy areas, highlighting delays by the NEA. Minister Shrestha noted that while he does not favor any particular faction, unused budgets under some programs and budget shortages in others have hampered timely completion, and he expressed readiness to facilitate wherever needed.
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He stressed that future plans must maximize previous state investments and ensure policy continuity, while policies should not become barriers to development.
Minister Shrestha further directed that programs be designed in line with financial federalism and that action plans be developed in consultation and coordination with local governments to make Nepal energy self-reliant.
He highlighted the need to classify current electricity consumption at industrial and household levels and develop strategic plans to increase internal electricity use, emphasizing inter-agency coordination.
Finally, he instructed agencies to prepare energy development models in collaboration with universities and focus on projects for energy startups in the coming period.
